Italy's Evolving Caucasus Strategic Framework (decode39.com)

• Shift from gas-centric policy to broader regional influence.
• Strategic engagement in both Yerevan and Baku.
• Asserting European soft power in the Caucasus.

"Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s upcoming visits to Yerevan and Baku signal a shift from a purely energy-focused engagement to a comprehensive geopolitical strategy. By engaging with both Armenian and Azerbaijani leadership, Italy seeks to project influence within the Caucasus, securing industrial partnerships and asserting European strategic presence in a volatile region. This maneuver underscores Rome’s ambition to balance energy interests with broader security and diplomatic influence, aiming to fill the vacuum left by shifting regional power dynamics."